Testimonials

Putman Plumbing is a wonderful company. They are honest, reliable and I cannot think of anything derogatory to say about Pat, the owner or any of the people that we have come in contact with over the years. I trust these people completely and would encourage anyone looking for an honest plumber to contact this company. We thank you Putman Plumbing for taking care of us for many years. Linda & John Smith

As we bid February goodbye, we’d love to think we’re nearing the end of winter in Middletown. If so, spring is just around the corner, and that means lots and lots of rain — which means your sump pump needs to be in working order. We love it when you call us for help, but we’d rather our customers do whatever they can to prevent a plumbing hazard. So take a break from what you’re doing to read up on important sump pump information you should know.

When is it time to replace my sump pump?

You’ll know your sump pump isn’t working as soon as you walk into a wet basement. But here are some ways to tell before that happens:

Age – If your sump pump is nearing 10 years, start looking into getting a new one. Chances are it will quit before long.

Sound – If you don’t hear the pump kicking on at all when it’s raining a lot, the sump pump is not working. You should also listen for constant cycling on and off, as this could indicate the float valve is stuck or that there’s a bigger problem.

Wetness – Water surrounding your sump pit usually indicates that the pump isn’t able to pump out water fast enough. It’s worth having a plumber take a look to see if we think it needs to be replaced.

Will my sump pump keep working if the power goes out?

Storms in Frederick County have been known to knock out electricity, and since sump pumps usually run on electric power, this can be a problem if you don’t have one of these backup plans.

Some newer sump pump models come standard with a rechargeable battery back-up that will kick on if the power goes out.

You can buy a battery-powered sump pump that will start working when the power goes out or if the primary pump stops working for any other reason.

It’s possible to get a water-powered backup pump, which is plumbed to a water line in the basement. It uses pressure in the pipe to suck water from the pit like a vacuum. If you have well water, this is not an option since there would be no water pressure during the blackout.

What kind of sump pump do I need?

If your old sump pump worked well until it quit, you’ll probably want the same kind you had before. If you’re looking into getting a sump pump for the first time, there are several types available:

Submersible – This type of pump sits in a hole cut into the floor of your basement or crawlspace. The motor is sealed and waterproofed. When water around the pump rises to a certain level, it kicks on and flushes water through piping that runs outside and away from the house.

Pedestal – This type of pump has a motor that stands about two feet above the water, and only the part that pushes water out is inside the pit.

There is a theory that pedestal pumps last longer since they motor stays dry, but quality submersible pumps made of cast iron often outlast their plastic counterpart.

How much does a new sump pump cost?

A 1/3 horsepower sump pump (which is the most standard) costs can cost from $100 to $200 and removes about 2,000 gallons of water per hour, which is the amount that can build up in rainy months in Frederick County.

If you live in a flood zone, you may need a 1/2 horsepower sump pump which can pump 3,000 gallons in an hour. These cost between $150 and $350.

If there’s even a chance your sump pump would need to handle 5,000 gallons in an hour, it needs to be 3/4 horsepower which costs from $175-$350.

Why should a plumber install my sump pump?

Water and electric wiring are a combination that typical homeowners don’t know how to safely handle, so it’s important to have a licensed plumber remove your old sump pump and install your new one. We can recommend the right model and components such as the sump pit liner, and we back up our work so you can rest assured knowing if something goes wrong with it, we’ll fix it.

Rest Easy When Spring Rains Come. Call Putman Plumbing!

Don’t wait until you have sopping wet belongings in the basement and have to call a plumber in the middle of a storm. Call us if you suspect your sump pump isn’t working properly so you’re ready when the rain comes!

Spring rains are doing their job to make Frederick County lawns beautiful, but they can do a lot of damage to your basement if your sump pump isn’t working. Before you find your belongings under water, here’s how to know if your sump pump is working correctly, and what to buy if it needs to be replaced.

How to Tell if Your Sump Pump Should be Replaced

Is it old? Most sump pumps last around 10 years, so if yours is getting close to that, it may be time to look into a new one.

Can you hear it working? – It should kick on several times during a hard rain, so if you don’t hear it running, it’s probably not working right.

Is your basement floor wet? Water around your sump pit often indicates your pump isn’t pumping out water fast enough.

Knowing Which Type of Sump Pump to Choose

Submersible – This popular cast iron sump pump sits in a hole or “pit” in the floor of your basement or crawlspace. When water near the pump rises to a certain level, it flushes water through piping that runs outside and away from the house.

Pedestal – This plastic pump has a motor that stands about two feet above the water, and only the part that pushes water out is inside the pit.

Most sump pumps have a 1/3 horsepower motor and remove around 2,000 gallons of water per hour, which is the average amount that builds up in a lot of rain.

A 1/2 horsepower model removes 3,000 gallons per hour, so if you live in a flood zone that’s probably what you need.

A 3/4 horsepower model is available, and removes 5,000 gallons in an hour.

Talk to your trusted licensed Middletown plumbing company about which model is right from your home.

How a Sump Pump Keeps Working in a Power Outage

You can purchase a rechargeable battery pack to keep your sump pump running in a power outage. Some new models come with one.

If you have a second battery-powered sump pump, it will kick on when the power goes out or any other time the main pump quits.

A water-powered backup pump can be plumbed to a water line in the basement. It uses pressure in the pipe to suck water from the pit like a vacuum.

Why a Licensed Plumber Should Install and Repair Your Sump Pump

Water and electricity are a dangerous combination. We at Putman Plumbing know how to install and repair sump pumps safely to keep your family safe and your belongings dry. If you think your sump pump is on the way out or has already quiet, we can recommend the right model and install it before the next big rain.

It’s still winter in Frederick County, and we haven’t had to worry about a lot of melting snow causing flooding problems — yet. But even if we do make it through to March without much snow, there’s an imminent rainy season ahead. To prepare now, make sure to consider the age of your sump pump and that it’s working well so you won’t have to deal with any surprise flooding in the basement this spring.

After a hard rain, it’s a shock to feel water on your feet at the bottom of the basement steps. A working sump pump is the only thing that can save your belongings if rainwater enters your basement. A sump is a reservoir below your basement intended to fill up when groundwater levels increase. The sump pump moves that water up to ground level away from your house where it can drain properly, instead of sitting in your basement and making it moldy.

How to Tell if There’s a Problem With Your Sump Pump

If your sump pump isn’t working well, you might notice:

Standing water around the sump pit and even flowing farther into your basement.

Smoke or steam coming from the pump, indicating it’s working too hard and is overheated.

It’s cycling on and off frequently, or running for several minutes at a time.

Possible Solutions

Your sump pump may need to be repaired or replaced. Here are some things plumbers look for when examining a unit that isn’t working right:

Age: a possible need for replacement – The typical sump pump should last for five to seven years, so if it’s having a hard time pumping the water out, it might just be getting too old.

Size: not big enough to hold the water – Your pump may be too small for the amount of water coming into your property. Having a larger pump might do the trick.

Electricity: you may need a backup plan – Since a sump pump is powered by electricity, if the power goes out, it will stop doing its job. It’s a good idea to have a battery-powered pump for backup.

Working with an electrical appliance in water can be very dangerous, so don’t try to fix or install a sump pump yourself. We have the knowledge to diagnose and fix the problem safely, so give us a call and we’ll have your basement dry in no time.

Just as the weather folks predicted, we got a lot of snow in Maryland. Winter Storm Jonas packed a punch in Frederick County and the snow looked pretty as it fell, but now that it’s piled up in our yards and will soon melt, it’s time to think about something not so pretty: water in our basements.

Let’s look at a few things you can do to reduce potential problems.

Remove Snow Piles Away From Your House

A 10-foot high pile of snow that’s about 20 feet in diameter contains about 2,600 gallons of water. So if the snow near your house melts and starts to run down along the basement wall, your basement could take in some major water. Move the snow about 3-5 feet from your house to try to avoid a flooding disaster.

Keep Listening for Your Sump Pump

Snow melts quickly around the foundation of your home (if you haven’t moved it away from the home as suggested above). Listen to how often you hear the sump pump running. The sump pump’s check valve only lets water flow one way and keeps pumped water from returning back through the line. If the pump running seems to be running very frequently, the check valve could be bad, allowing pumped water to return through it and leading to water in your basement. If you don’t think it sounds right, call a plumber at Putman Plumbing so we can take a look before your basement floods.

Other Tips for Dealing with Winter

It’s still cold in Middletown, so make sure you take all the precautions to keep your pipes from freezing. Leave the heat running, open those cabinet doors, and insulate pipes in the garage or basement that you haven’t gotten to yet to avoid pipes from freezing and bursting into your home. Winter Storm Jonas may be gone, but winter isn’t over yet.

Enjoy the snow as much as you can. If you have plumbing problem, give Putman Plumbing a call.

As we head out of 2015 and into the New Year, we’re reflecting on how lucky we are to have faithful customers like you throughout Frederick County who brought us business this past year.

As much as we love your business, the best way to show our appreciation is to tell you how to prevent plumbing problems from happening in 2016. We can’t predict what weather will come to Maryland in the year ahead, but we can turn to experts at The Old Farmer’s Almanac for an idea about what to expect.

A Colder and Snowier Winter

According to the Almanac, winter will be colder and snowier than normal in the north, with the coldest periods in mid-January, mid-February, and early March. In extreme cold, it’s important to prevent pipes from freezing so they won’t burst and cause damage to your home.

Starting now, insulate pipes that are exposed to outside walls of your home or in your garage. Use insulating tape, newspapers, or foam to line the pipes so they’ll keep the water from freezing inside.

Keep bottled drinking water on hand, as well as gallons of clean water you can use to fill toilets if your pipes freeze.

A Mild Spring

April and May are expected to be cooler than normal, with below normal amounts of rainfall. This will be a good time to do some spring cleaning.

Clean out debris from yard drains, gutters and downspouts.

Check outdoor faucets and hose bibs to ensure that water flows freely. If an outdoor faucet drips or you notice leakage inside your home when the hose is turned on, a frozen pipe over winter could have cracked and may need to be replaced.

Make sure your sump pump works. When you pour a few buckets of water into the sump pit, the pump should quickly turn on. If it doesn’t, have a plumber inspect it to see what the problem is.

Have your water heater drained to make sure it continues to work efficiently.

A Hotter, Rainier Summer

The Almanac predicts that summer in Maryland will be hotter and rainier than normal, with the hottest times in late June, mid-July, and much of August. A lot of rain could take place in the form of a tropical storm or hurricane from early August to mid-September.

If you checked your sump pump in the spring, you shouldn’t have a problem. If you experience basement flooding at this time, you’ll want to consider having your sump pump replaced.

A Warmer, Wetter Fall

September and October are expected to be warmer than normal, with above-normal rainfall.

Make sure to clear leaves and debris from outside gutters and downspouts to ensure easy drainage when water freezes and thaws throughout the winter season.

All of us at Putman Plumbing wish you a safe and blessed New Year! If you need any plumbing advice, a new water heater, drain cleaning or anything else in 2016, give us a call.

As much as we loved the business that all the rain in Frederick County brought us last week, we’re hoping for our customers’ sake that it stays dry for a while. Many of the wet basements we encountered were due to faulty sump pumps, so if you were a victim of a flooded basement, now is a good time to ask a few questions.

How do I know when to replace my sump pump?

Obviously if we were pumping water from your basement last week, you know your sump pump wasn’t working well. But a few other ways you can tell are by:

Age – Most sump pumps have a typical lifespan of 10 years, so if yours is close to that, start looking into a new one before you have problems.

Sound – If you don’t hear the pump kicking on when it’s raining a lot, it’s probably not doing its job.

Which type of sump pump do I need?

If it worked well, you’ll probably want the same kind of model you had before. Here is a breakdown of the different types available:

Submersible – This type of pump sits in a hole cut into the floor of your basement or crawlspace. The motor sealed and waterproofed. When water around the pump rises to a certain level, it kicks on and flushes water through piping that runs outside and away from the house.

Pedestal – This type of pump has a motor that stands about two feet above the water, and only the part that pushes water out is inside the pit.

There is a theory that pedestal pumps last longer since they motor stays dry, but quality submersible pumps made of cast iron often outlast their plastic counterpart.

What can I expect to pay for a sump pump?

A standard 1/3 horsepower sump pump costs between $100 and $200 and removes around 2,000 gallons of water per hour, which is the amount that builds up in a decent flood.

Live in a major flood zone? A 1/2 horsepower can handle 3,000 gallons an hour and costs between $150 and $350.

If there’s a possibility of enduring 5,000 gallons in an hour, your sump pump needs to be 3/4 horsepower which costs from $175-$350.

What if the power goes out?

There are a few options to keep your sump pump working without electricity.

A rechargeable battery pack can keep your sump pump running. Some new models come standard with a battery back-up.

A second, battery-powered, sump pump isalmost as powerful as the main pump, and it kicks on not just when the power goes out, but any time the primary pump stops working.

Water-powered backup is plumbed to a water line in the basement and uses pressure in the pipe to suck water from the pit like a vacuum. This type of backup pump is not an option if you have well water since there’s no water pressure during blackouts.

Why do I need a plumber to install a sump pump?

A wet basement can cause all kinds of problems, from the headache of sopping belongings to the health hazards of mold. A plumber can recommend the right model as well as examine the rest of the components such as the sump pit liner and electric wiring. You’ll rest assured knowing that it will do its job the next time a big rain comes.

Don’t wait until you have to call a plumber in the middle of a storm. Call Putman Plumbing now and let us help.

Hopefully Frederick County has seen the last of winter storms. With spring right around the corner, most of us are ready to get our homes back in order and looking clean. But while it’s tempting to make cosmetic improvements first, it’s important to check that all of your plumbing is functioning properly. That way, you won’t find a newly renovated bathroom or sparkling clean basement under water.

Check faucets and hose bibs

Water should flow freely when you first turn on outside faucets or hoses. If a faucet drips or you notice leaks inside your home the first time the hose is turned on, you may have had a frozen pipe that cracked and needs to be replaced.

Examine drains and gutters

Grab a ladder and climb up on your roof to clear out all of the gunk that’s accumulated over the winter. If drains and gutters are free of debris, you won’t have to worry about damage-causing clogs when heavy spring rain begins.

Make sure your sump pump is working

You can do this by pouring a few buckets of water into the sump pit. When the water level reaches 8 to 12 inches below the surface of the basement floor, the pump should quickly turn on, discharge the water then shut off. If it doesn’t turn on, you’ll need to call a plumber to see what the problem is.

Ensure that your bathroom is functioning at its best

In the tub, you should have strainers in place to prevent hair and other debris from clogging the drain. You can also clean your shower head with vinegar to remove mineral deposits that prevent proper flow.

To check toilets for hidden leaks, add five drops of food coloring to the tank. If the toilet has a leak, you’ll see color in the bowl within 30 minutes. Also check around the base of the toilet for any leaks.

If you find any problems while checking on your home’s plumbing, give Putman Plumbing a call.

Many of us in Frederick County enjoy watching the snow fall, but as it starts to build up inch by inch around our homes, it’s important to think about the damage it can cause when it melts. Let’s look at a few things you can do to reduce potential problems and claims on your homeowners insurance.

Remove the Snow After the Storm

After it snows, it’s tempting to stay warm inside and leave the snow piled on windows, doors and the rest of the home for days. But it’s always best to clear the snow from doors and windows so that the snow doesn’t melt, enter your home and cause serious water damage. A home damaged by heavy snow may be covered, but a home damaged by the result of melting snow may not be.

Keep An Eye (and Ear) on Your Sump Pump

Rapidly melting snow will saturate the soil around the foundation of your home. If that water gets into the basement or lower floors, it can ruin belongings, and it doesn’t take much water to cause serious structural damage. By regularly checking your sump pump, you can make sure it’s running correctly — that the check valve is properly fitted. A check valve only lets water flow one way and keeps pumped water from returning back through the line. If you hear the pump running too frequently, the check valve could be bad, allowing pumped water to return through it.

As the snow melts, pay attention to how often you hear your sump pump running. If you hear something that doesn’t sound right, it may be time to call a plumber before damage occurs.

Check Drains and Gutters

This should be done before the storm hits. Make sure drains and gutters are clear of dirt and debris to prevent melting snow from getting trapped and causing clogs.

Leave the Heat On

You may be tempted to turn your heat off or down very low to save on bills when you’re away from home, but to protect against plumbing accidents, leave the heat running at all times. If you don’t, pipes can freeze, causing them to burst and flood your home. And that damage would certainly cost more than a slightly elevated electric bill.

Enjoy the snow, but if you run into a plumbing problem, give Putman Plumbing a call.

We’re crossing our fingers that we’ve seen the last of snow and ice, but that means we’ll be moving on to Mother Nature’s next challenge: Rain!

After a hard rain, it’s always a shock to feel water on your feet when you step into your basement. A working sump pump is vital to preventing this from happening and to save any of your belongings kept down there. A sump is a reservoir below your basement that’s intended to fill up when groundwater levels increase. The sump pump moves that water up to ground level away from your house where it can drain properly, preventing your basement from becoming wet and moldy.

Problems With Your Sump Pump

When there’s a problem with your sump pump, you might notice:

Standing water around the sump pit and even flowing farther into your basement.

Smoke or steam coming from the pump, meaning it’s working too hard and is overheated.

It’s cycling on and off frequently, or running for several minutes.

Possible Solutions

Depending on what the problem is, your pump might need to be repaired or replaced.

Age – The typical sump pump should last for five to seven years, so if it’s having a hard time pumping the water out, it might just be getting too old.

Size – Your pump may be too small for the amount of water coming into your property. Having a larger pump might do the trick.

Electricity – Since a sump pump is powered by electricity, if the power goes out, it will stop doing its job. It’s a good idea to have a battery-powered pump for backup.

Before you think about removing the pump yourself, keep safety in mind. Working with an electrical appliance in water can be dangerous. We at Putman Plumbing have the knowledge to diagnose and fix the problem safely. Give us a call! We’ll have your basement dry in no time.